Portable bleacher construction



Jan. 5, 1932. 1.. M. POST 1,839,410

PORTABLEMBLEACHER CONSTRUCTION Filed April 11, 1929 ;8 a? 4 1?? if 2? II nz/enzw:

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ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 5, 1932 PATENT oFFicE LGREN M. POST, DECEASED, LATE OFDETROIT, MIC I-IIGAN', BY GEORGIANA W. POST,

EXEGUTRIX, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN PORTABLE BLEACHER CONSTRUCTIONApplication filed April 11, 1929. SeriaI No. 354,413.

The object of this invention is to provide verse rivets passing throughapair of forked a portable bleacher construction of simple, durable, andinexpensive construction.

.A further object of the invention is to provide a portable bleacherconstruction which may be readily set up or dismantled without usingbolts, screws or the like. In the ordinary portable bleacherconstruction numerous bolts and lag screws are used. These bleachers areusually used, and often stored, outdoors, and are therefore exposed tothe weather which causes the threads on the bolts to rust. The structureis not only weakened b this rustin but is also rendered ver difficult todismantle.

* Still a further object of the invention is to provide a portablebleacher construction which shall consist of a plurality of stringershaving their forward ends resting on the ground and their intermediateportions and rear ends resting on a plurality of acks, detachablyconnected to the stringer. The bleacher assembly consists of two or moreof these stringer and jack assemblies, joined by a plurality of seatboards and foot boards.

Suitable seat board rests and foot board hangers are secured to eachstringer to support these seat boards and foot boards.

With this structure, there is no need of cross bracing between thestringer and jack assemblies, as each assembly is internally braced,independent of the other units. The seat boards and foot boards are onlyused to carry the weight of those persons occupying the bleacher.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a portablebleacher construction having a diagonal stringer supported by aplurality of jacks, each jack being composed of a pair ofstrutmembers,secured together at their upper ends and also to the stringer, andhaving their lower ends spaced apart and secured to a thrust rod whichextends rearwardly from the forward end of the stringer.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a portablebleacher construction having diagonal stringers to which are securedindividual seat board rests and foot board hangers, each of these restsand hangers being secured to the stringer by a pair of transends on therest or hanger which straddles the stringer.

Some bleacher constructions have a stringer with seat board rests andfoot board hangers composed of strap iron, bent to a U shape, andsecured to the edges of. the stringer by lag screws, which extend intothe stringer.

The stringer used in practically all portable bleachers is a woodenbeam. The disadvantage of this construction is that the lag screws soonrust and loosen in the stringers. and thereby become unsafe.

In this structure, the ends of the seat board rests, and foot boardhangers are forked and straddle the stringer. A rivet is riveted throughthese forked ends and through the stringer, so that the load on the seatboard rests and foot vboard hangers are carried by transverse rivetsextending through the stringers. There are no screws which can becomeloose in the wood, and even though the holes in the stringers, throughwhich the rivets extend, become enlarged a little, by decay, .thestrength of the structure is materially decreased. Of course, thesestringers could be made entirely of steel to overcome the objection justmentionedyhowever, this method com-- pares favorably with the old strapiron and wood stringer construction in cost, and has the long life anddependability of the steel construction.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved jackcomprising two compression struts, joined at their upper ends,,theirlower ends being spaced and secured to a jack tie. The center portion ofthis jack tie is provided with means whereby a tension rod may besecured thereto against lateral movement of this rod. The upper end ofthis. jack is secured to the stringer, while the lower end is secured tothe tension rod. It will thus be seen that the jacks are prevented fromslipping in relation tofthe stringer both at their upper and lower ends,to thereby insure a firm support from the jacks.

With these and other objects in view,=the invention consists inftheconstruction, coinnot bination, and arrangement of the various parts ofmy improved device, as described in the specification, claimed in theclaims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of one of the stringer and jackassemblies.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one of the jacks.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view ofthe method of joining the upper endsof the jacks to the stringer. v

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of one of the improved foot resthangers. I

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one of the seat board rests.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the combined foot board hanger andtension rod anchor. 20

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the tension rod assembly.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the tension rod hook, and

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the jack hook, a portion of thetension rod being shown to better illustrate the construction.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 10 hasbeen used to indicate a stringer having the improved seat board restsand foot board hangers secured thereto. This stringer 10 consists of arectangular shaped beam placed on edge with 7 its forward end resting onthe ground. A

plurality of. jacks of graduated sizes support the remainder of thestringer.

A plurality of seat board rests are secured to the upper edge of thestringer-10. The seat board rests proper consist of an inverted U shapedmember 11 having a short rear leg and a long front leg, each oftheselegs being provided with a clevis 12 at their lower ends.

The clevises 12 straddle the upper edge of the stringer 10, and an eye13 is provided in the forked ends of these clevises so that suit? ablerivets '14 may extend through one earof the clevis then through thestringer 10 and then through the other ear of the clevis where it issecurely riveted, to thereby permanently-secure the seat board rests tothe stringer.

An car 15 extends upwardly from each leg of the rest 11 to form achannel shaped retaining member which secures a seat board 16 againstlateral movement. The seat board rests 11 are secured to the upper edgeof the stringer at .spaced intervals. A plurality of foot board hangers17 are hung from theloweredge of the stringer 10.

The foot board hangers consist of a U. shaped member, having upwardlyextending arms 18 and 19. The upper ends of these arms areforked at 20and 21, respectively, and are secured near the loweredge-of the stringer10 by'rivets 22.1

- The construction of these stringers. is

unique in that no screws, bolts, or nuts are used to secure the seatboard rests and foot board hangers to the stringers.

The jacks used with the improved device consist of a pair of struts 23,secured together at their upper ends by means of a rivet 24. A notch isformed in these adjacent ends to receive the stringer 10 and is giventhe reference numeral 25. he lower ends of the struts 23 are spacedapart and secured to a jack tie 26 by suitable rivets 27. The centerportion of the jack tie 26 is bowed forward- 1y at 28, for a purposewhich will hereinafter be described.

A'pair of blocks 29 are secured to the stringer 10 on either sidethereof, adjacent to one of the foot board hangers, and each stringerlOrests in a notch 25 of the jacks so. that the jacks will be securedbetween a block 29 and a foot board hanger 17.

A special combined foot board hanger and tension rodanchor 30 isprovided for the first foot board. This anchor consists of a U shapedmember, having an upwardly extending rear arm 31 and a pair of upwardlyextending arms 32. Each of these arms are secured to the stringer 10 attheir upper ends by clevises similar to the forks 20 and 21 of the footboard hangers 17.. The rear arm 31 of the anchor 30 is provided with anoffset 33, to which a tension hook may be removably secured.

' Atension rod 34 of angular section is pro vided with a tension hook35, secured to its forward end, and a plurality of jack hooks 36,secured thereto at spaced intervals by means of rivets 38. The jackhooks 36 are so proportioned that the bowed portion 28 of the jack ties26 may extend into these hooks.

The general procedure in setting up the bleacher is to first mount thestringer 10 on the jacks. The forward portion of the stringer 10 isplaced on the ground, and the rear end slants diagonally upwardly,consequently, the jacks increase in size toward the outer end of thestringer. Then the tension rod 34 is hooked in the offset 33 of theanchor with the rod extending between the struts 23 and over the ackties 26. The lower ends of the jacks are then moved rearwardly to adiagonal position, with the jack ties 26 secured in the jackhooks 36.The jacks are thus prevented from further movement rearwardly. The rod34 is prevented'from lateral movement by the bowed portion 28 of thejack tie 26.

It may be thusseen that the jacks are anchored at their lower ends bythe tension rod 34, and at their upper ends by blocks 29 and foot boardhangers 17.

Two or more of these stringer assemblies, just described, are set up andthe seat boards 16 are placed on the seat board rests 11, between theears 15. Foot boards 37 are suspended between the foot board hangers 17.

Each stringer and jack assembly is a separate unit from the otherassemblies, and is in no way connected thereto except by the foot boards37 and seat boards 16. As many of these assemblies as desired may be setup forming continuous rows of seat boards and foot boards.

Many advantages arise from the use of the improved construction, and itmay be well to point out that there have been provided seat board restsand foot board hangers which are permanently secured to a woodenstringer in such a manner that no screws or bolts are used.

A further advantage results in that both the upper and the lower ends ofeach jack are secured to the stringer, to thereby prevent either end ofthe jack from slipping. A tension rod is also provided which connectsthe forward end of the stringer with the lower end of each jack, andmeans has been provided to prevent lateral displacement of this tensionrod.

Some changes may be made in the arrangement, combination, andconstruction of the various parts of the improved device withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and it is the intention tocover by the claims such changes as may reasonably be included withinthe scope therein.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable bleacher construction, a

diagonal stringer, a plurality of seat board rests secured to the upperedge of said stringer, a plurality of foot board hangers secured to thelower edge of said stringer, a plurality of jacks each comprising a pairof struts extending downwardly from said stringer to form an inverted Vshaped support, a jack tie connecting the lower ends or said strut, aforwardly offset portion formed in the center portion of each jack tie,a tension rod extending from the forward end of the stringer to positionadjacent to each jack tie, and a plurality of hooks formed on eachtension rod adapted to co-act with each offset portion, said offsetportions preventing lateral displacement of the tension rod.

2. In a portable bleacher construction, a diagonally extending stringeradapted to support the foot and seat boards of said bleacher, a ackcomprising a pair of struts extending downwardly from the elevated endof said stringer to form an inverted V shaped support therefor, a jacktie connecting the lower ends of said struts, said jack tie having anoffset portion formed therein intermediate of its ends, a tension rodhaving one end secured to the lower end of said stringer, and meansformed on the other end of the tension rod adapted to co-act with saidoffset portion, said offset portion preventing lateral displacement ofthe tension rod.

3. In a portable bleacher construction, a diagonally extending stringeradapted to support the foot-and seat boards of said bleacher, a ackcomprising a pair of struts extending downwardlyfrom the elevated end ofsaid stringer to form an inverted V shaped support therefor, a jack tieconnecting the lower ends of said struts, said jack tie having aforwardly offset portion formed therein intermediate of its ends, atension rod having one end detachably secured to the lower end of saidstringer, and a hook formed on the other end of the rod adapted toco-act with said offset portion, said offset portion preventing lateraldisplacement of the tension rod.

4. In a portable bleacher construction, a diagonally extending stringeradapted to support the foot and seat boards of said bleacher, ajackcomprising a pair of struts extending downwardly from the elevated endof said stringer to form an inverted V shaped support therefor, ajacktie connecting the lower ends of said struts, said jack tie havingaforwardly offset portion formed therein intermediate of its ends, anangle section tension rod having one end secured to the lower. end ofsaid stringer, and a hook having a triangular sectioned shank securedwithin the angle of said tension rod adjacent to its free end, said hookco-acting with said offset portion whereby lateral displacement of thetension rod will be prevented.

5. In a portable bleacher construction, a diagonally extending stringeradaptedto support the foot and seat boards of said bleacher, a pluralityof jacks supporting the elevated end ofsaid stringer, each jackcomprising a pair of struts secured together adjacent to said stringerto form an inverted V shaped support therefor, jack ties connecting thelower ends of each pair of struts, said jack ties each having an offsetportion there in aligned with the lower end of the stringer and witheach other, and a tension rod having one end secured to the lower end ofthe stringer, and a plurality of fastening members secured at spacedintervals to said rod adapted to coact with said offset portions wherebythe lower ends of said jack ties will be resisted against lateraldisplacement.

6. In a portable bleacher construction, a diagonally extending stringeradapted to support the foot and seat boards of said bleacher, aplurality of jacks supporting the elevated end of said stringer, eachjack comprising a pair of struts secured together adjacent to saidstringer to form an inverted V shaped support therefor, jack tiesconnecting the lower ends of each pairof struts, said jack ties eachhaving an offset portion therein aligned with the lower end of thestringer and with each other, and a tension rod having one end securedto the lower end of the stringer, and a plurality of hooks secured tosaid rod atspaced intervals therealong adapted to co-act with saidoffset portions whereby the lower ends of said jack ties will beresisted against lateral displacement.

7. In a portable bleacher construction, a

diagonally extending stringer adapted to support the foot and seatboards of said bleacher, a jack comprising a pair of struts extendingdownwardly from the elevated end of said stringer to form an inverted Vshaped support therefor, a jack tie connecting the lower ends of saidstruts, said jack tie having an offset portion formed thereinintermediate of its ends, and a tension rod having a hook at each endwhereby said rod may be detachably secured to the lower end of thestringer and to said offset portion, the offset portion preventinglateral displacement of the tension rod. v

8. In a portable bleacher construction a diagonally extending stringerhaving a plurality of foot board hangers fastened to the loweredge'thereof, a jack comprising a pair of struts extending downwardlyfrom the raised end of said stringer to form an inverted V shapedsupport therefor, a jack tie connecting the lower ends of said struts,said jack tie having a forwardly offset portion formed thereinintermediate of its ends, a tension rod extending between the lowermosthanger and said jack tie, and a hook secured to each end of-said tensionrod, one hook co-acting with said hanger and the other with said offsetportion, said offset portion preventing lateral displacement of thetension rod.

9. In a portable bleaeher construction, a

' diagonalstringer having a foot board hanger secured to the lower edgethereof, a ack comprising a pair of struts extending downwardly to forman inverted V shaped support therefor, the apex of said V being notchedto receive said stringer, a jack tie connecting the lower ends of saidstruts, said tie having a forwardly offset portion formed thereinintermediate of its ends, a block secured to said stringer in positionspaced lengthwise from said hanger whereby that portion of the stringerbetween the hanger and the blocl: may be inserted .in said notch tothereby prevent lengthwise movement of the upper portion of the jack onthe stringer, and a tension rod having one end secured to the lower endof said stringer with a hook formed on the other end thereof adapted toco-act with said offset portion whereby lateral displacement of thelower end of the'jack is prevented. V

April 5, 1929.

LOREN M. POST, Deceased, By GEORGIANA 7. POST,

Ewecutm'as.

